Authors

1. Ritti-Dias, Raphael Mendes PhD
2. Li, Ji MS
3. Hollabaugh, Kimberly M. MS
4. Stoner, Julie A. PhD
5. Montgomery, Polly S. MS
6. Gardner, Andrew W. PhD

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between oxygen uptake (

O₂) kinetics and demographic, behavioral, and clinical factors among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS: A total of 85 PAD patients with intermittent claudication performed a constant load treadmill test, and breath-by-breath

O₂ was obtained to assess

O₂ kinetics. Demographic information, anthropometry, cardiovascular risk factors, and comorbid conditions were recorded.

RESULTS: Using univariate analyses, higher values of tau ([[tau]], ie, slowed

O₂ kinetics) were associated with female gender, non-Caucasian race, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and age <=66 years. Smoking, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, height, and ankle brachial index were not significantly related to

O₂ kinetics. Using multiple regression procedures, the identified predictors of slowed

O₂ kinetics were female gender (4.76 [95% CI: 1.49-8.03] seconds; P = .0049), non-Caucasian race (4.70 [95% CI: 1.29-8.12] seconds; P = .0075), hypertension (12.06 [95% CI: 8.83-15.28] seconds; P < .0001), and age <=66 years (4.97 [95% CI: 1.95-7.99] seconds; P = .0015).

CONCLUSIONS: In PAD patients, slowed

O₂ kinetics are associated with demographic and clinical factors. The clinical significance is that female, non-Caucasian, and hypertensive PAD patients present central and/or peripheral limitations that may partially account for their walking impairment.